Delegates & foreign media give APEC Singapore 2009 the thumbs up

SINGAPORE: It is all around thumbs up for the organisers of APEC Singapore 2009, as delegates and officials weigh in on the week—long meeting which ended on Sunday.

World leaders came and along with them some 10,000 foreign delegates. Hosting the APEC meetings has been good for Singapore, boosting the tourism dollar and showcasing the country to the rest of the world.

Soo Siew Keong, programme chair, APEC Accommodation, Hospitality & Singapore Experience Committee, said: "Singapore’s destination as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) reputation has always been strong and one of a very vibrant and dynamic destination.

"And Singapore’s reputation to the international audience has always been that we are efficient, we have a very good infrastructure and that we have a very good and pro—business environment."

As the host economy, Singapore rolled out the red carpet. It was not just the culture and food that was showcased, but all facets of modern Singapore. After long hours of serious meetings, delegates also had a chance to experience the lighter side of Singapore.

Ambassador Michael Tay, executive director, APEC Secretariat said: "Some of them partied all night long. This is part of the Singapore experience. It is not just about meetings, it is also about understanding how we live and what we can offer people.

"One of our favourites is the Pump Room because the band is excellent and the music is familiar to people."

Some senior officials got the chance to know Singapore a little better, having attended a series of meetings leading up to last week’s APEC Leaders’ Summit.

Foreign journalists covering the meetings were also impressed with the way things ran with clockwork precision.

"Everything, the registration is done on website, which I didn’t expect because we still have to fill the paper!" said Hirosumi Yamaguchi, cameraman, Japan Broadcasting Corporation.

For others, a lasting impression was Singapore’s garden—city look. In addition, nearly 2,000 volunteers worked overtime to make APEC a success.

Ambassador Tay said: "It is amazing and for me to walk into any place within the APEC meeting, and to have somebody there saying — ’how can I help you, would you like to go to this place, would you like to go to that place’. They will walk with you, they will talk to you and it happens in every venue.

"That is quite a feat for us. This is a tribute to our volunteers, people who gave up their time. I know it is a punishing schedule because it is tough for these people.

"This morning I just received a text from my driver, Jeffrey. He said to me, ’it was such an honour to be serving you and APEC and the country’. I mean this is really nice."

Singaporeans were also generally positive about the event, despite having to put up with some inconveniences.

The meeting in Singapore has resulted in some concrete and practical targets to make the running of a business faster, cheaper and easier.

"That requires a lot of action. So we are taking the actions into the Japan year. So you will see results in the next two years at least, (in) Japan and the US. And with that you will see a growth in business and opportunities — actual growth," said Mr Tay.

APEC members would also be watching how the new US administration will act on President Barack Obama’s pronouncement that America will engage members of the Trans—Pacific Partnership.

Mr Tay said: "I think for the US President to make this bold pronouncement is already a big step forward because he now has to make sure that the idea gets traction among the domestic community in the US, the Congress, the people, the business.

"So the actions will start now. With the US announcement, the four members of the Trans—Pacific Partnership and the four new members will start negotiating so that is when the action will start.

"Now they will work on what they call a 21st century FTA, which is more cutting edge and more forward looking."

The Trans—Pacific Partnership now groups Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore. Other economies that have expressed interest in joining the partnership are Peru, Australia, and Vietnam.

It is hoped that the pact would be a building block to achieve a larger free trade agreement encompassing the Asia—Pacific.

Even as the physical clean—up gets underway, APEC’s work is far from over. For APEC officials, the work to prepare for next year’s summit in Japan has already begun. In fact, the first series of meetings for that will take place in December.

— CNA/sc